Blanche of Montferrat

Blanche, on the left, and her younger sister, Giovanna

Blanche of Montferrat or Bianca di Montferrato (1472 – 30 March 1519), was the Duchess of Savoy and titular Queen consort of Cyprus, Jerusalem, and Armenia as the wife of Charles I of Savoy. She acted as regent for her only son Charles from 1490 until his accidental death in 1496.

Marriage and regency

Blanche was the eldest daughter of William VIII Palaiologos, Marquess of Montferrat and Elisabetta Sforza, daughter of Francesco I Sforza, Duke of Milan and Bianca Maria Visconti, after whom Blanche was named.

On 1 April 1485, she married Charles I, Duke of Savoy and titular King of Cyprus, Jerusalem and Armenia. The marriage produced two children:

• Yolande Louise of Savoy (2 July 1487 – 13 September 1499), married Philibert II of Savoy; died childless at the age of 12.
• Charles II, Duke of Savoy (23 June 1489 – 16 April 1496).

Upon the death of her husband in 1490, she acted as regent for her young son, who had succeeded his father in his regnal and titular titles. She remained the ruler of Savoy until her son, who was seven years old at the time, was accidentally killed in a fall at Moncalieri. Her surviving child, Yolande died three years later, without having produced any children; therefore Blanche's line became extinct.

In her will dated 12 February 1519, she names her choice of burial place which was the chapel of the Church of the Blessed Virgin in Carignano. She names her heir as Charles III, Duke of Savoy, and in default, the latter's younger brother Philippe, Count of Genevois.^[1]

Ancestry

Ancestors of Blanche of Montferrat

16. John II Palaiologos, Marquess of Montferrat               8. Theodore II Palaiologos, Marquess of Montferrat                       17. Isabella of Majorca               4. John Jacob Palaiologos, Marquess of Montferrat                             18. Robert I, Duke of Bar               9. Joanna of Bar                       19. Marie of Valois               2. William VIII Palaiologos, Marquess of Montferrat                                   20. Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy               10. Amadeus VII, Count of Savoy                       21. Bonne of Bourbon               5. Joan of Savoy                             22. John, Duke of Berry               11. Bonne of Berry                       23. Joan of Armagnac               1. Blanche Palaiologo of Montferrat                                         24. Giovanni Attendolo Sforza               12. Muzio Sforza                       25. Elisa (Petraccini?)               6. Francesco I Sforza, Duke of Milan                             13. Lucia da Torsano                       3. Elisabetta Sforza                                   28. Gian Galeazzo Visconti               14. Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan                       29. Caterina Visconti               7. Bianca Maria Visconti                             30. Ambrogio del Maino               15. Agnese del Maino

References

1. Charles Cawley, Medieval Lands, Savoy